Merciful

6/12/2016

Philippians 2.27 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. – St. Paul

He was Epaphroditus; he was a companion of Paul’s and he came from Philippi. He became a part of Paul’s ministry team and Paul was sending him back to the Philippians to report to them how things were going. He was then, at some point, going to return to Paul and repost how the Philippians were doing.

As we all know, back then, there was a great deal of time involved in sending communication; months often, and sometimes years. With such gaps in communication there was, perhaps, buildups of anxiety or concerns that things may have happened, and it just took a long time to get the word out as to how things were.

The Philippians knew Paul was in jail but they maybe didn’t know why, or for how long, or what the outcome might be. Some might have even wondered if Paul had actually committed a crime. So Paul was sending one of their own back to them to bring the letter and to report on what was going on. At some point then, Epaphroditus presumably was going to come back to Paul to report on them.

But Epahroditus had been seriously sick, almost to the point of dying from his illness. So, Paul said, “…but God had mercy on him, and not only on him only, but also on me”. Ministry companions are necessary and needed; we are not designed to do this world alone. What I like in this verse is God’s mercy on everyone involved.

First, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. Then, as a result, God had mercy on Paul. And further, God had mercy on the Philippians, of whom, Epaphroditus was theirs. And, God had mercy on us because we get to read this story and learn of God’s mercy, and how it ripples out to the whole world for all time.

And it ripples out to me, one who is in need of God’s mercy in a variety of different ways today. Where would Paul and the Philippians have been had God not shown mercy to Epaphroditus? Where would we be today as believers had God not shown mercy as He did then? What hope do I have in a merciless God? Perish the thought.

God knows us, knows our needs and is merciful beyond all we can ask or imagine – to Him be the glory forever and ever.

Father, You know my needs and You’ve seen my tears. I am grateful for Your tender mercy and for Your touch upon my ancient brother all those days ago when he needed mercy, the apostle Paul needed mercy, and the Philippian church needed mercy. O God You are merciful and kind and You love those who call You by name: Merciful. Amen.